Bowling pin spotting and respotting apparatus



Feb. 19, 1952 M. PATTERSON BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING APPARATUSFiled April 3. 1946 2 SHEETS-SHEET l am. un.. mu.

INVENTOR BMOREHEAD PATTERSON Yy AMJ MV ATTORNEY M. PATTERSON FeblBOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING APPARATUS Filed April 3. 1946 2SHEETS-SHEET 2 FIG.

` .INVENTOR MOREHEAD PATTERSON ArroREY Patented Feb. 19, 1952 BOWLINGPIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING APPARATUS Morehead Patterson, New York, N.Y., assigner to American Machine and Foundry a corporation of New JerseyCompany,

Application April 3, 1946, Serial No. 659,366

8 Claims.

This invention relates to bowling pi-n spotting mechanism, and moreparticularly to pin spotting and respotting devices which can be usedfor spotting and respotting pins on the playing be of a bowling alley.

The invention includes the provision of improved pin handling devicesforming a part of a pin spotting machine which are operative to properlygrip and hold pins for spotting on an alley bed regardless of slightvariations in the height or diameter of the heads of pins which arebeing handled. Some of the advantages occurring from this invention are,longer use of worn pins which can be shaved or repaired for further use;pins which may vary slightly in height because their bases have beentrimmed can be lifted and respotted properly. It is evident, therefore,that this invention results in a direct saving to bowl- `ing alleyoperators because it permits longer use of pins.

Another feature of my improved pin handling mechanism is that it canreadily adapt itself to the on or off-spot position of a pin to belifted for respotting. Also, due to the nature and construction of theopen bias weave grip forming an important part of each of the pinholding units, either an on or olf-spot pin having an uneven bottomstanding in a tilted or inclined position or a vertical pin can begripped and held for replacement on the alley bed, plumb bob action orswinging of the pin is eliminated, and the pin is always respotted indesired on or ofi-spot position.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved pin spottingmechanism having pin handling units provided with extensible pin grip-`ping and holding means operative to rmly grip and hold pins to bespotted in on-spot or respotted in on or off-spot playing positions onthe playing bed of a bowling alley.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved pinhandling mechanism for a bowling pin setting machine capable of handlingpins which may vary somewhat in height and also in diameter, and whereinthe type of extensible grip employed is always operative to provide iirmand positive gripping for` holding a pin for spotting or respotting inproper on or off-spot position on a bowling alley.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved pinspotting mechanism having individually and laterally movable pingripping units, each of which is provided with a grip cornposed of aplurality of strands interwovenl about a common axis to form an openmesh structure into which a desired part of a bowling pir; can beinserted, and means for operating each of the unit-s to cause therespective grips thereof to contract about and firmly hold a bowling pinfor spotting or respotting on the bed of an alley.

The invention also consists in an improved pin spotting deviceconsisting of a plurality of pin spotter units each provided with acable grip mechanism, and means for actuating each of the gripmechanisms regardless of whether the pins so gripped are on or off-spotor slightly inclined.

The invention also consists in the provision of improved pin grippingand spotting units in which a basket weave grip forms a part of eachunit and makes possible an extremely firm gripping action due to theaction of the multiple strands which encircle and grip that portion of apin located in their range of action. In the case of respotting pinswhich may be standing in tilted position on an alley, any plumb bobaction is eliminated and such pins are respotted in the same on oroff-spot position each occupied prior to being lifted. In the case ofpins being set initially, it is obvious that this mechanism contributesto positive on-spot spotting of a full set of pins.

Other objects of my invention will be set forth in the followingdescription and drawings which illustrate a preferred embodimentthereof, it being understood that the above statements of the objects ofmy invention are intended generally to explain the same without limitingit in any manner.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment ofthe invention and form a part of this specification, and in which likecharacters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a partial side sectional view of the pin handling mechanismforming the invention, and shows in detail one of the pin gripping unitsand operating means therefor; and

Figure 2 shows a plan view, with parts broken away of the pin spottertable, and the plurality of individually, laterally movable pin spotterunits mounted thereon, and a suitable mechanism for operating the units;and

Figure 3 is a diagram of a modied form cf control unit.

The mechanism which forms the present invention may constitute a part ofa bowling pin spotting machine of the general type shown in Rundellpatent, No. 2,383,017, issued August 2l, 1945. It may also be used inconnection with any other bowling pin spotting device which vis capableof spotting and respotting pins in on or off-'spot positions.

Referring to the drawings which show a preferred embodiment of theinvention, table T which is constructed and operated in the same generalmanner as disclosed in the above noted Rundell patent, is mounted onshaft for movement to and from pin spotting and respotting positionrelative to a bowling alley (not shown). Shaft 38 which supports thetable T for turning movement may be mounted in slides (not shown)supported in vertical guideways (not shown) forming a part of themachine with which this mechanism is used. The mechanism for sup portingtable T and moving the same forms no part of this invention and is,therefore, in the interest of brevity neither shown nor described.

Table T preferably is generally triangular in shape, and is providedwith a plurality of spaced generally triangular members such as platesor boards 32, 34, 36 and 38 made of metal, wood. or other suitablematerial. are provided with circular openings 40, 42 and 44,. arrangedin triangular formation and corresponding to spotted positions of pinson a bowling alley.

Mounted above each of the openings in plate ij- 38 is an individuallylaterally movable pin gripping and holding unit designated generally 50.Since these units are identical in construction, but one will bedescribed in detail. As shown in Figure 2 there are ten such unitsarranged in conventional triangular pin supporting arrangementcorresponding to the positions of bowling pins on a bowling alley. Eachunit 5U is mounted .on plate 38 for individual lateral and vertical`movement.

As shown in Figure 1, each unit consists of a truncated cone or funnelportion 52 having a base which rests on plate 38 greater in diameterthan the diameter of opening 40 in plate 38.`

In this manner the relatively lightweight unit' 58 can be shifted by theengagement of the tapered sides of funnel 52 with the head-end of theheavier standing pin to positions on plate 38 relative to an opening 48corresponding to an on or off-spot standing pin position on the alley.

In this manner a pin can walk a considerable distance olf-spot and stillbe gripped, lifted and respotted properly on the alley by a unit 50.

As shown in Figure l the top of the funnel portion 52 is provided with aflange 53, the diami plate S0 in engagement with the top faces of Icollars 5S.

Plate 60 is provided with an opening 68 through which extends acylindrical grip designated generally T8, made up of a plurality ofcrossing strands or wires woven about a common axis to #.2..

form an open meshed structure. The strands or wires can be made of roundor flat wire, such as steel, bronze, or other similar materials, or fromtextiles such as cotton, or other exiblevfibrous material which willhave suflicient strength to stand constant pull and release.

Strands 'l2 are loosely interwoven angularly (Figure 1) in such mannerthat when a grip S stretched axially the strands move relatively to eachother to constrict about and firmly hold Plates 34, 36 and 38 f The topfaces of collars 56 bear i.'

an article, such as a bowling pin, located within their range of action.

Each grip is of a diameter such that when maintained open (as shown inFigure l), a portion of a pin, such as the handle end can readily enterinto the bore of the grip so that the strands 12 encircle it. The endsof strands 'i2 adjacent funnel 52 are secured to a ring 14 by means ofscrews 16 which also attach ring 'I4 to the top of funnel 52. Thestrands 'i2 at the other or upper end of grip 'l0 are attached to a ring'IB by screws which also secure ring 18 to actuating plate 60.

Toggle levers 83, 84 are pivotally connected to brackets 82, 86,respectively, mounted on plates 34 and 36respectively. Levers 83, 84 arealso pivotally connected at 88 to a pair of parallel links 89, the otherends of which are connected to the armature 60 o solenoid 32 mounted onand secured to plate 36 of table T by screws 9i. As shown in Figure 2,there are preferably three solenoids 62, each connected to plates 3s and38 in the manner described. Obviously more or fewer solenoids 92 andoperating connections can be used as desired.

Plates 32, 34, 36 and 38 which form table T are secured together inassembled arrangement by means of rods 3| having threaded portions 33and lock nuts 35 which hold plates 32, 36 and 38 in predetermined spacedrelationship. Plate 34 is attached to levers 83 (as shown in Figure 1)and is, therefore, mounted for vertical movement relative to fixed plate36. Springs 3l encircling rods 3| and located between washers 39 tendnormally to hold plate 34 in the position shown in Figure 1 in whichgrip 70 is open and in pin receiving position.

In operation, as table T moves downwardly towards the playing bed of analley and standing pins which are to be lifted and respotted for-play-ing the next ball of the frame, openings 48 in plate 38 allow thehead ends of any standingv on or off-spot pins to enter the funnelportions 52 of their respective units 50.

When pins and units 58 are in on-spot rela# tionship with thelongitudinal axis of each unit 50 aligned with the longitudinal axis ofan onspot pin there is no relative movement between/ such pins andunits, when the handle ends of such pins become located within the boresof grips 10. If, however, a pin occupies an off-spot position on thealley bed, or a unit 5D is not axially aligned relative to an on-spotstanding pin, engagement by the head end of each standing pin with thetapered interior face of funnel 52 of its respective unit 553 will causethis unit to move into centered position or axial alignment with respectto such standing on or off-spot pin. In this manner the respotting unitsare located for gripping, lifting and respotting pins in the desired onor off-spot position with the head end of each such on or off-spot pinlocated (as shown in Figure l), within the bore of its respective grip10.

When each individually and laterally movable unit 50 has been located tocorrespond with the on or off-spot position of a standing pin to belifted and respotted, as above noted, solenoids 92 are energizedsimultaneously to open toggles 83, 84, and move plate 34 upwardly awayfrom plate 3'6. Actuating plate 60 is engaged by and moved with plate 34thereby compressing springs 66 and stretching grips 18, causing strands12 thereof to constrict tightly about the head ends of any pins to belifted.` v

With the pin heads `held lin this manner, table T is raised above thealley, a sweep (not shown) sweeps any deadwood from the alley or gutterof the alley into the pit and returns to inoperative position. TheAtable is then lowered to reposi tion the pins which were lifted in onor off-spot position on the playing bed oi the alley, solenoids 92 aredeenergized, whereupon toggles 83, 84 are closed as springs 3l forceplate 34 towards plate 36, and springs S6 which were compressed by theupward movement of plates 60 and 34 force plate downwardly to releasestrands 12 of grips 'I0 from holding engagement with the head ends ofpins which were lifted and respotted, the table is raised to a dwellposition above the alley (not v shown), and play can be resumed.

A suitable control for energizing and deenergizing solenoids 92 is showndiagrammatically in Figure 2. The three solenoids are connected in amultiple circuit by leads I I0, I I2 to a suitable source of electricpower. When pins are to be gripped and held by units 50 during therespotting operation, solenoids 92 are energized as the result of theclosing of switch |00 through engagement of follower I0! with a highportion |02 on cam |04 secured to shaft |06 which is suitably driven intimed relationship with the operation of the carrier T. When followerIOI on switch arm |03 rides off the high portion |02 at the time therespotted pins are to be released and left in playing arrangement on thealley, the circuit is broken by the opening of switch |00.

The structure illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 may be employed forspotting and respotting pins. In such case, table T can be used as shownin Rundell patent, No. 2,388,709, issued November 13, 1945. In thiscase, units 50 perform the dual functions of spotting and respottingpins. Mechanism for controlling the operation of table T when soemployed can be the same as shown in Rundell Patent No. 2,388,709, Sincethe mechanism for moving table T to and from an alley, and operatingmeans therefor form no part of the present invention, furtherdescription and showing is omitted.

The operation of the units 50 is substantially the same as describedabove except that the grips 'I0 are actuated both for the purpose ofspotting and respotting the pins. That is, solenoids 92 are operated tocause grips 'I0 to rmly hold pins delivered in spotted arrangement forplacing a frame of pins on the alley prior to the throwing of the firstball of a frame. Solenoids 92 are also energized and deenergized foroperating grips l0 in order to grip, lift and respot on or oit-spot pinson the bed of the alley prior to'throwing the second ball of a frame.

A suitable control mechanism for energizing and deenergizing solenoids92 for operating units 5d for both spotting and respotting pins is showndiagrammatically in Figure 3. When pins are to be gripped, lifted andrespotted, solenoids 92, which are connected by leads I I0, I I2 to anelectric control circuit, are energized as the result of closing ofswitch |00 through engagement of follower I0 I with a high portion |02'on cam |04' secured to shaft |06 suitably driven in timed relationshipwith the operation of the carrier T. Pins which have been lifted andrespotted by carrier T are released from gripping units 50 when switch|00 is opened when follower IOI' rides ofi the high portion |02 and ontothe low 'portion of cam |04. When a new set of pins is to be spotted onthe alley, a set of pins is deylivered in triangular formation bysuitable mechanism (not shown) similar to that shown in the abovementioned Rundell Patent 2,388,709, whereupon a cam I I4 on shaft I I6suitably driven in timed relationship with the operation of the machineand carrier T vcauses high portion IIS to engage a follower |20 onswitch arm |22 which closes switch |24 and completes the circuit throughleads 1||0, II2 to energize solenods 92 and cause the ten grips. 10 togrip and rmly hold the pins delivered thereto. The solenoids 92 remainenergized until the carrier T places the new set of pins on the alleywhereupon high portion H8 moves out of engagement with cam follower |20,switch |24 is opened thereby breaking the circuit, and the pins arereleased in spotted arrangement on the alley.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within thescope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustratethe invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of thesame, It is not, therefore, to be restricted vto the .precise details ofthe structure shown and described.

What I claim is:

l. In a bowling pin setter for use with a bowling alley, the combinationwith a tab-le adapted to be moved `to and from said alley, and a supporton 'said table, of a pin guide funnel loosely mounted on said supportand arranged for lateral movement thereon relative to an on or off-spotpin standing on the lbed of a bowling alley, a grip composed of yaplurality of strands interwoven diagonally about a common axis to forman elongated open mesh gripping cage wherein said strands areconstructed and arranged for relative gripping movement, means mountingone end of said cage on said funnel 'in position to receive and encirclethe handle end of a standing pin, an actuating device attached to theother end of said cage, means on `said table adapted to engage saiddevice, means on said table adapted to engage said funnel, mechanism foreffecting relative separating movement between said device engagingmeans and said funnel engaging means for stretching and 'constrictingsaid strands into gripping engagement with the handle end of a pinencircled by said cage, and means for subsequently effecting relativemovement of said device engaging means and funnel engaging means towardseach other for compressing said cage and releasing said strands to freesaid pin from said grip.

2. A bowling pin spotting unit comprising a funnel having an upper rimportion provided with an opening greater than the maximum diameter ofthe handle end of a bowling pin, a resilient cylindrical grip having oneend attached to said funnel adjacent said upper rim portion and in axialalignment with said opening for encircling and gripping the handleportion of a bowling pin and upon engagement with the handle end of astanding bowling pin move said grip into axial alignment with said pin,an operating member attached to the other end of said grip, resilientmeans coacting with said operating member and said funnel formaintaining the diameter of said grip greater than the diameter of saidhandle end of said pin to allow the entry thereof into said grip, andmeans engaging said operating member and said funnel for decreasing thediameter of said grip to cause said grip to iirmly hold said pin in saidunit. q

3. A bowling pin .spotting unit mounted for movement to and from theplaying bed of a bowling alley, comprising a funnel havinga top rimportion and a bottom rim portion connected by tapered pin guiding sides,a resilient elongated cylindrical grip having one end attached to saidfunnel adjacent said top rim portion and substantially in axialalignment with the longitudinal axis o said funnel, said funnel' andgrip being mounted for free movement in response to the movement of saidunit toward said bed and the engagement of said funnel with the handleend of a bowling pin to move said grip into axial alignment with saidpin, said grip being composed of a plurality of strands interwoven abouta common axis to form an open meshed structure, resilient means normallymaintaining the diameter of said grip greater than the diameter of saidportion of said pin to allow the 'entry of said handle end portion ofsaid pin into said grip, and actuating means attached to the other endof said grip, and means for moving said top rim portion of said funneland said actuating means away from each other for decreasing thediameter' of said grip to cause said strands to rmly grip and hold saidpin in said setter.

4. A bowling pin spotter unit comprising a guide member having taperedsides and spaced openings through which an end portion of a bowling pinmay project, a substantially cylindrical I elongated cable grip havingone end attached to said guide member adjacent one of said openings withthe longitudinal axis of said grip passing through the center of saidopening, an actuating member attached to the other end of said grip, amovable operating device positioned to engage said actuating member,means normally maintaining said actuating member disengaged from saiddevice. means normally maintaining said lgrip in open pin receivingcondition, means operative whenever a pin is to be spotted or respottedin on or off-spot position on a bowling alley for causing said actuatingmember to engage and move said device away from said guide member tocontract said grip about said end portion of a bowling pin to firmlyhold said pin in said unit and means for holding saidguide memberagainst substantial axial movement during the operation of saidactuating member.

5. Pin spotting mechanism for a bowling pin spotting machine comprisinga pin spotting table provided with spaced relatively vertically movablemembers, a plurality of pin spotting devices carried by said table, eachof said devices including a substantially cylindrical elongatable cablegrip, said table including a bottom member having a plurality ofopenings providing access of pins into said grips, an actuator carriedby one end of each of said grips adapted to be engaged by one of saidmembers, an actuator carried by the other end of each of said gripsadapted to engage another of said members,V andmeans carried by saidtable for effecting relative separating movement between said members toengage said actuators and elongate said grip to grip and hold pins insaid devicesj: y'

6. Pin spotting mechanism for a bowling pin spotting machine comprisinga pin spotting table provided with spaced relatively verticaly separa-'ole members, a plurality of pin spotting devices mounted on said tablefor independent lateral movement relative to said members, each of saiddevices including a substantially cylindrical elongatable cable grip,said table also including a bottom member supporting said devices andvhaving a plurality of openings providing access of 'pins to said grips,actuating means for each of said grips, a guide engageable by the handleend of a pin for shifting said grip into substantially axial alignmentwith the longitudinal axis of said pin, means carried by said table foreffecting relative separating movement between said members to engagesaid members with said actuating means and elongate said grips to gripand hold pins in said devices, means for effecting relative movementbetween said members toward each other to disengage said members fromsaid actuating means, and means for compressing said grips to eiect therelease of pins from said devices.

7. Pin setting mechanism for a bowling pin spotting machine comprising apin setter table adapted to move to and from a bowling alley for settingpins thereon, spaced relatively movable members carried by said table, aplurality of pin gripping units carried by said table, each of saidunits including a cable grip composed of a plurality of strandsinterwoven about a common axis mounted in pin receiving position on eachof said units, grip elongating devices mounted adjacent each end of eachof said grips, one of said devices of each of said units beingpositioned above'one of said members, the other of said devices of eachof said units being located below one of said members, and means foreiecting relative separating movement betweent said members to engagesaid grip elongating device and eii'ect a relative movement of saiddevices in opposite directions to cause said strands of said Vcablegrips to firmly grip and hold pins located in said grips.

8. Pin spotting mechanism for a bowling pin spotting machine comprisinga pin spotter table adapted to move to and from a bowling alley,vertically spaced members carried by said table, said members includinga movable member and two xed members, a plurality of individually andlaterally movable pin guiding and gripping units loosely mounted on oneof said xed members and above openings in said xed member, each of saidunits including a guiding and locating device located between said fixedmembers and having openings constructed and arranged to receive andencircle the handle end of a bowling pin, an elongated extensible cablegrip attached to said device adjacent to and in substantial alignmentwith the longitudinal axis of said device, actuating means carried bysaid grip, means normally maintaining said grips open whereby the handleends of standing pins may extend through said openings in saidiirst-named xed member and engage said guiding and locating devices andshift said units on said iirst-named fixed member and locate said gripssubstantially in coaxial alignment with the longitudinal axes of saidstanding pins, and means for moving said movable member upwardly intoengagement with said actuating means and away from said fixed members,one of said fixed rnembersbeing operative in response to said movementto restrict the upward movement of said devices, whereby said cablegrips are stretched to grip and hold said MOREHEAD PATTERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,584,030 Gray May 11, 19262,268,598 Kellems Jan. 6, 1942 2,353,189 Rundell July 11, 1944

